Stephen Holder and Gregg Doyel discuss how the Indianapolis Colts fell to the Buffalo Bills 13-7 in overtime.
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Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) misses a game winning field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017.(Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)Buy Photo

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ORCHARD PARK N.Y. – Gotta hand it to our Indianapolis Colts: They are as dependable as the U.S. Postal Service. Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night, not even all of that in the form of a lake-effect blizzard, will deny them from delivering what they deliver best.

Another loss.

Not even this historic snowfall in upstate New York, where the locals say they’ve never seen a football game played in conditions like these, could stop the Colts from slipping and sliding and brain-freezing their way to a 13-7 loss in overtime Sunday to the Buffalo Bills. The loss eliminated the Colts from the 2017 playoffs, making official what was preordained during a seven-day period way back in January, when Andrew Luck underwent shoulder surgery, and Colts owner Jim Irsay fired general manager Ryan Grigson but kept coach Chuck Pagano.

Luck never came back.

And Pagano never left.

The Colts maybe could have overcome one or the other – playing the 2017 season with both Luck and Pagano; playing the season without either of them – but they couldn’t overcome the double-whammy of losing their franchise touchstone while keeping their franchise millstone.

Shortly after New Era Field exploded in a hail of celebratory snowballs, shortly after multiple Bills players ran and slid across the snowy field to celebrate LeSean McCoy’s game-winning touchdown run of 21 yards, Pagano was distraught. I’ve seen him after bad losses featuring coaching blunders – I’ve seen him after lots of losses and lots of blunders – but have never seen him as broken as he was Sunday.

Pagano knows he screwed up late in regulation, when the Colts had the ball – second-and-7 at the Buffalo 25 with about 45 seconds to play – and he chose to let the clock run down rather than running one more play to get the ball closer … and into kicker Adam Vinatieri’s preferred location on the right hashmark.

With the ball in the middle of the field, where the snow was 6 inches deep, Pagano let the clock run down to seven seconds before having quarterback Jacoby Brissett stop it by spiking the ball. Onto the field came Vinatieri to try what was quite possibly the most difficult kick of his life, a rather large statement I’ll support right now:

Earlier in the fourth quarter, forced by a penalty to a kick an extra point from the same 43-yard distance – but not from the same part of the field, and in a few moments I’ll ask you to remember that – Vinatieri booted a low knuckleball that literally hit the crossbar on its way over. And he managed that miracle only after the Colts sent six equipment-manager types onto the field to kick snow away from Vinny’s kicking area while the touchdown scored by Jack Doyle was under video review. What the equipment-manager types were doing must have been illegal, because the referee literally chased them back to the Colts sideline. Several of Vinatieri’s teammates then kicked away snow, clearing a spot big enough for Vinatieri to convert the 43-yard extra point.

In his 22-year career Vinatieri has attempted nearly 1,500 NFL kicks – 654 field goals and 819 extra points – and afterward I was wondering if he’d ever been asked to try one more difficult than that 43-yard extra point in a blizzard.

Well, not until the game-winner Pagano asked of him a few minutes later. That second one, I’m thinking, that’s the most difficult kick of Vinatieri’s life. And what you need to know is this: Pagano knew to avoid the very area of the field where the Colts had the ball with 45 seconds left, plenty of time to run another play. He knew, because someone (everyone?) on the Colts special teams unit had told him a few hours earlier.

Remember, Vinatieri had missed a 33-yard field goal earlier in the game, missed it short and right. That didn’t look like a future Hall of Famer kicking a field goal. That looked like me kicking a hoagie. On that one, the Colts had the ball in the middle of the field, where the snow was deep and the footing was terrible and the result was less of a field goal and more of a snow ball, one that disintegrated well before reaching its intended target.

After that, Pagano was told in no uncertain terms: If you want Vinatieri to make any kicks today, get the ball to the right hashmark.

Alas: Pagano asked Vinatieri to win the game from the same 43-yard distance as his extra point, but not from the right hashmark. No, Pagano was asking Vinny to win it from the middle of the field, where the snow was thickest and the odds were slimmest. And afterward, as I was saying, Pagano was distraught.

“End of the game, that’s on me,” he said. “Should’ve won that thing. I’ve got to get the ball in the right hash for Vinny, just kick from over there, and I didn’t get that. That’s on me.”

Pagano wasn’t finished with his self-immolation.

“Frank (Gore, who ran for 130 yards on a career-high 36 carries) was a warrior,” Pagano said, looking like he needed an airsickness bag. “They all played their hearts out. I’m sick for them.”

This being the Colts, the loss cannot be pinned entirely on one person, not even Pagano. The reason Vinatieri had to kick that 43-yard extra point in the first place was because Colts receiver Kamar Aiken was flagged for a 10-yard penalty – offensive pass interference – on Brissett’s two-point conversion pass to Doyle that would have given the Colts an 8-7 lead with 1:16 left. Aiken was blocking downfield, blocking on a pass play, and apparently doing it illegally. Why was he doing that? Because he’s a Colt.

Also, that winning TD run by LeSean McCoy with 1:33 left in overtime: It was a third-down run that wasn’t really supposed to go anywhere, wasn’t supposed to do much of anything but bleed more time from the clock in case the Bills missed the ensuing field goal on fourth down. But it went 21 yards into the end zone. Why? Because he was running against the Colts.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) drops back to pass to tight end Jack Doyle (84) against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) takes a pass downfield against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

A Buffalo Bills fan shows his support in the snow in the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts strong safety Matthias Farley (41) intercepts a pass late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) takes a pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) into the end zone against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) gets the corner and first down against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Field crew members use a timeout to remove snow from the field in the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts players try to stay warm next to a couple heaters along the sideline in the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks a game-tying extra point against the Buffalo Bills late in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) slips after a long gain against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Field crew members work to clear snow from the yard markers before the Indianapolis Colts game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

The Buffalo Bills defense stands up Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) after a short gain in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard (93) and defensive back Kenny Moore (42) celebrate a third down stop against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (74) heads to the line of scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo (52) and the rest of the defense celebrates a fumble recovery against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

A field crew member uses a timeout to remove snow from the field in the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) hands off to running back Frank Gore (23) against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts center Anthony Fabiano (61) prepares to snap the football to quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) drops back to pass to tight end Jack Doyle (84) against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) breaks off a long run against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Kenny Moore (42) lines up across from Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Buffalo Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman (2) bobbles a snap early in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) heads back to the huddle after a short run against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) gets a first down against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar, Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) breaks off a long run against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) gets a first down but slips shortly after against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) lines up in a tunnel before heading onto the field to take on the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

A field crew member removes snow from the field during a change of possession in the third quarter in the game against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) finds a hole in the Buffalo Bills' defensive line in the third quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) celebrates a touchdown with teammates against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts players work to remove snow from the path of kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) late in the game against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) points left after kicking a game-tying extra point against the Buffalo Bills late in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) drops back to pass late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles for a first down late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) gets the football down into the red zone against the Buffalo Bills late in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) breaks off a long run against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Johnathan Hankins (95) is helped off the field in the game against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) misses a game winning field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

So the Colts’ 2017 season lurches forward, just three games left now, three games and then Black Monday, when NFL coaches are fired. The Colts are 3-10 and out of the playoffs, eliminated by a team quarterbacked by backup Nathan Peterman and then his replacement, Joe Webb, on a day the lake effect blew nearly a foot of snow into the stadium and the Colts’ head coach blew a chance to win.

This wasn’t football weather, but sled-dog weather. That’s what I think, but after watching the Colts screw up another chance to win, this is what I know: You can’t spell Iditarod without the word idiot.